Salem's Lot by Stephen King Reminds You Of A Time When Vampires Were Still Scary, Not Sexy

Mike continues his Into the Multiverse series by talking about the sophomore effort by Stephen King, 1975's Salem's Lot.
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#StephenKing #SalemsLot #MikesBookReviews

[@rosiemon]

I think I've read this book 4 times and it never gets boring. One of my favorite things about the story is how, each time you meet the townsfolk, King makes it clear that the Marsten House is able to be seen from almost all angles of the town except a very few areas. It's like it won't let the town forget the history of the Marsten family or what may come to Salem's Lot.

[@robinthornton8282]

I am 60 and was turned on to King at about 18. I was hooked immediately. When Carrie came out, I went to the cinema and watched it 7 times, loved it! I started buying books from his book club and one of the 1st books I received was Salem's Lot. I didn't even start it because I thought it was about witches and I'm not interested in witches. So this book has sat on my shelf for YEARS! I never even cracked it open or read the intro on the jacket of it. I continued to get books until around the Green Mile, my personal favorite, and I was a single mom and going to nursing school, at which time I attempted to read the Stand for the 2nd time, I finished it about 1 and 1/2 yrs after I started working as a nurse. I had a lot more free time after school. I found very little difference in the 2 versions of the Stand. But before the Green Mile came out the Stand was my favorite. Well, I am proud to say I am retired now and I am reading Salem's Lot for the 1st time. I was surprised that it is about vampires, my favorite horror choice, and not witches. I only found this out about 3 weeks ago! Lol. So here we go. My 34 yr old son told me when I asked him what I had that he wanted after I was gone and he wants my unfinished collection. I better get busy reading cause it's going to take a minute to read the ones I have yet to read. That's over half of my collection of approximately 30+ books. FYI, for the people out there who loved the Stand, I recommend Swan Song. Similar,and yet totally different too. Thanks for encouraging my interest in getting back into the Kings books again! P.S. I have only watched you a couple of times on your KZbin and I don't know you at all, but your fast speech and constant rubbing of the nose looks a bit suspicious to me, of which I pray I'm wrong and that is just how you talk. But I didn't notice it in my 1st time watching you review and rate all of the King books. Just saying that I hope you don't have a problem. Take care of yourself and keep up with the reviews. Thanks again!

[@irishthump73]

This probably isn't fashionable to say these days but Salem's Lot is hands down his finest novel. The world building is incredible, the main characters are compelling and the vampires are downright scary!

[@kellieheald]

My favorite too, and a really great American novel, reminds me somewhat of Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye, it is life and death with those characters, and King just nails it. One of the greatest of all times, and one I would take to a desert island😊👍

[@EliT3xEleM3nT]

I have to disagree. I found it extremely boring and I couldnt wait for it to be over. I hsd to force myself to finish it. Nothinf interesting or scary about it. Stephen has better work

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

I thought this and The Stand are epic novels. I think The Dead Zone and Dr. Sleep are his best portrayals of characters.@@EliT3xEleM3nT

[@EliT3xEleM3nT]

@@sidnew2739 inform me what you found scary in the book? I personally didnt feel scared at any point in the book

[@EliT3xEleM3nT]

@@sidnew2739 do you minf sharing your age? Im 26 years old. Maybe Ive been desensitized to what appears to be scary? I know alot of people foudn those scenes that you mentioned scary. Maybe Ill do a re-read this year

[@lolglolblol]

"Things going nowhere" is the best part about King's works. It makes things feel more real, the characters feel like actual people rather than plot driven background actors and, most importantly, it keeps you on your toes because you never know what details might turn out to be important later on.

[@muthamucka9009]

I'm over 50 and still bring out 'Salems Lot every now & then for a scare. Last read the expanded version and I'd forgotten about the backstory of Hubie & the very dark practises he was up to prior the books opening. The book still fills me with that slow unrelenting dread that the best horror gives. Still get chills with the grave scene, the woods, The Glick Boys & Susan & Mark's entry into the Marsden House. This & The Shining imho are the pinnacles of Kings work.

[@geraldmahoney4856]

Read it when I was a kid. Scared the hell out of me. I would only read it during the day.

[@sebastientubb2971]

The scariest scene in this book in my opinion was the graveyard scene, were the grave digger is burying the boys. Then it’s the woods scene

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sebastien Tubb Yeah, that’s a good one. Lots of scary moments in this one.

[@stevenbrown6371]

Mine was just after the boys went missing and Straker says that prayer aloud to bowlow. Also the dog hanging was creepy

[@anthonyjordanmoviesandmore2470]

For me it has to be the scene with Susan floating outside Mark's room

[@pullupparker6110]

For me it was them dropping the coffin off in the cellar

[@garyhost6678]

For me it was when Barlow was in Marks house and killed his parents.

[@redvitaminblue]

Just re-read Salem's Lot first time in 16 years. A scene that I thought was interesting when I first read it was when ______ treated his vampire bite with modern medicine, thus preventing himself from turning. The explicit framing of the supernatural existing within the confines of an empirical world (that the supernatural was a function of the natural world, not separate from it) wasn't something I had encountered in fiction before, at least not in such a nuts-and-bolts kind of way. I think I remember there was even some commentary (via character monologue) about that very phenomenon in this book. Also, there was another minor multiverse connection that I noticed: "He thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghost" was first uttered here as a protective/assistive mantra, and of course later used by Bill Denbrough in "IT".

[@daviddandrea6491]

Read this when it was first released. Yeah, I'm old. Had to pull the shades down on all the windows at night cause I was too scared to look out the windows in the dark.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha yeah, I can imagine.

[@drsoe08]

One of my favorite parts of the book was the article in beginning, reading that on itself is already creepy.

[@EndlessLaymon]

I think this is the novel that cemented King's status as a horror fiction master. King managed to transport vampires into a modern setting and made it work.

[@dwaynebrue6028]

Salem's Lot is my Favorite Stephen King Novel of all time!!!!!!!!

[@sengil5656]

Just finished Salem's lot. Being my first horror book, let's just say I'm very excited to read more horror and especially King!

[@bobthabuilda1525]

IT is his best. Hope you are enjoying your horror journey.

[@guitarlover1370]

Haven't read IT yet but so far The Stand was my favorite, not really spooky like Salem's lot but one hell of a journey

[@donovanchilton5817]

The Stand isn't horror, though. Kind of dystopian thing going on. IT is a pure horror novel.

[@tricko8000]

Pet Sematary is my favorite, and also the scariest book I've ever read

[@testingpro6723]

Read duma key

[@andrewhanson405]

It's a really good book, though I don't think King fully mastered characterization yet as the Susan Ben relationship came across as wonky and some of the characters were a little too easy to convince that Vampires were roaming the town...but man no one was safe and it kept things tense and wanting to keep turning the pages.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh, the Susan/Ben relationship was pretty dumb. But he hit the mark on the actual horror.

[@bae4318]

Well they had reasons to believe it, due to their own experiences. Susan and Ben were more difficult, (especially Susan ) and they kept doubting it.

[@bae4318]

I do agree with you on the characterization part, Susan (in my opinion) felt like a stereotypical love interest and not a real person.

[@mousetreehouse6833]

King was never great with his female characters, even when he has time to elaborate on them, like Frannie in The Stand. Also, King didn't set out to write a tome (like The Stand), so he had us set up to buy into the vampire premise, just not until halfway thru the book. Then it turns into "whatever can go wrong, will (and at the worst possible time)". The two major holdouts in the 'I don't believe it' department are Jimmy and the Father. The doctor just wants to know where the heck all the dead bodies have gone to - then gets bitten by Mrs. Glick, which pretty much unhinges him and turns him into a fearless vampire killer (sort of) . Father Callahan poo-poos Matt's theory of the undead overtaking the Lot, until his unfortunate and demeaning face- to-(neck?)face meeting with Barlow. (I'm giving Susan a pass here, just for the horror show she endured - for being such a doubting Thomas, it seems).

[@daryl7531]

​​​@@mousetreehouse6833 Someone hasn't read Dolores Claiborne, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Gerald's Game, Lisey’s Story, Rose Madder or The Dark Tower books. Granted, it took a long while before King really mastered writing strong female characters, quite some time after whats considered his prime era. I think that's what confuses people into thinking he's never wrote strong female characters, because they read his prime material and don't go further. But if you talk to long time King fans a lot of them will tell you that one thing which later King DOES excel in is his female protagonists and that Dolores Claiborne specifically has one of King's best protagonists, if not THE best protagonist he has ever written. He's come a long way from being that typical male writer that doesn't know how to write female characters. Admittedly it does seem like he isn't able to translate them so well in stories that feature a large ensemble cast of characters, but when it comes to the stories that have a sole main protagonist and are character studies to some degree, you will truly see that side of him shine.

[@marcusosuna687]

I read this book in 1978. I was 10 y/o. I was way too young to read it, mostly because of the adult themes in it but it scared me for a very long time. I slept with the lights on, shades drawn, crucifix above my bed and a small bulb of garlic on my nightstand. But, no matter how frightened I was I couldn't put the damn book down...

[@RyanSmithGuitar]

Just finished Salem’s lot and really enjoyed hearing your take on the story it wasn’t Kings scariest book for me I think Pet Semetary was still creepier but still a great read and liked seeing Father Callahan again after finishing the dark tower series!

[@floorjason]

I'm a little late I'm watching this video, but I finally finished listening to the book yesterday and it was fantastic! I'm glad you cover how it crossovers in the rest of the multiverse since I haven't read much of his work, so now I know where to keep an eye out for these characters. Great video, keep'em coming!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching! Seeing his crossovers has been rewarding as a long-time fan. Gives you an incentive to read a story of his (i.e. Delores Claiborne or Insomnia) that you think on paper might not seem your thing matter. Because a character you know might show up.

[@BradLad56]

Don't know if you've ever watched anime but there's one called Shiki and it's basically Salems Lot in all but name and it's just as creepy.

[@Katzenkaiser4]

enjoyed that anime too. but salems lot was still a bit more brutal imo

[@josefineli4604]

Shiki is one of my absolute favorite animes! The only King I’ve read is Carrie, but knowing Shiki is based on / inspired by Salem’s Lot puts it immediately at the top of my list of King novels I want to read.

[@daveedmunds1109]

Living your coverage so far. Very good quality!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks! I am very passionate about the works of Mr. King.

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

Love this book, especially the history of the Marsten House!

[@stephenmarvin5416]

i know I am kinda off topic but do anybody know of a good place to stream new series online?

[@deanbentlee298]

@Forest Ellis Definitely, have been watching on FlixZone for since march myself :D

[@stephenmarvin5416]

@Forest Ellis Thank you, I signed up and it seems to work :D I appreciate it!

[@forestellis7723]

@Stephen Marvin no problem :)

[@pritch533]

Jimmy's death really shocked me. One of my favourite parts was mark escaping too when he was tied up in that room!

[@BillyBicot]

It happened so fast !

[@Booksinthedark]

This is my #1 favorite book. I loved this review! You explained it very well.

[@simonedwards9450]

Another great review from the Master! ‘Salem’s Lot is my favourite King novel and my second favourite novel of all time. It’s a fantastic book. Read it about seven times. It’s one of those books where once I’ve finished the book, I can go back and read it all over again.

[@erikthecleric9209]

yeeeahh, more horror content!!! Salem's Lot is one of my all-time favorite reads

[@mikesbookreviews]

I gotta keep fighting for the horror content on this channel. It doesn't get the attention my fantasy videos do but I have to get these demons out and I love talking King.

[@nemoonbekend2483]

@@mikesbookreviews Carry on with the horror! Sure that a lot of us appreciate it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@nemoonbekend2483 Plan to do at least one Stephen King review per month.

[@emilielemay1647]

I watched the video a while ago and added the book to my tbr. Just finished it and it was so good! It was chilling and spooky all the way. I rewatched the video today for the spoilery part I hadn’t watch before and your reactions are exactly the same as what I was thinking 😂👌🏻 Thank you for influencing me in wanting to read this, so glad I did!

[@mikesbookreviews]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@canadianfortrump4057]

I've read about 20 Stephen King novels and Salem's Lot is by far my favorite. Salem's Lot was so eerie and and suspenseful that I felt drawn into the story. It didn't feel so much that I was reading a story. It felt more like I was one of the characters in the story and I'm frightened along with everyone else with the horror that's developing in the town. I thought both movie versions of Salem's Lot in 1979 and 2004 were below average and didn't come close to portraying the novel. After reading the book which I found to be excellent, both movie versions were very disappointing. I'm very much looking forward to James Wan's version which I hear is coming out in September 2022. Insidious (2010) was a great horror film directed by Wan. If Wan's version of Salem's Lot is completely faithful to the novel it could be one of the greatest horror films ever made.

[@victorshaffer5633]

Finally read this - have been looking forward to watching this video! What to read next? I've read Needful Things, Later, and Joyland. Cheers Mike!

[@ronfoss7784]

Great review , Like the positive energy towards it all🤘

[@jonathanhunter7670]

Just started rereading this book and your videos have just landed on my binge list

[@nemoonbekend2483]

One of the greatest horror novels of all time, and Barlow is one of the great monsters of horror. Period. I would argue that Salem's Lot is one of three King novels that belong on anyone's top twenty list for horror fiction. Loved the deliberate echoes of plot and characters with Bram Stoker's original Dracula. Best for me was how the Marsten House itself was a character in the story (King being an admitted fan of Shirley Jackson). Father Callahan's reappearance in The Dark Tower . . . . . incredibly satisfying.

[@mikesbookreviews]

The Marsten house is absolutely a character. And moments like Father Callahan make reading his whole universe all the more satisfying, like Sanderson's Cosmere.

[@jsmith7888]

I have just read this book and honestly don’t know how people say this… Barlow barely even said anything, so I don’t know why he is considered to be such a good monster. I also found it hard to keep track of all the characters and didn’t feel anything for any of them, that’s probably what made it the hardest for me to read

[@nemoonbekend2483]

@@jsmith7888 I sometimes appreciate it as a storytelling technique to have the prime villain/monster limited to only a few actual dramatic appearances, and thus be more shadowy and mysterious. Let's the reader fill in the blanks with their own fears & interpretation. Worked for Dracula. . . .

[@EliT3xEleM3nT]

The book was extremely boring. Sorey to say, i steuggled to push myself to finish it. The story, the characters... None of it was good

[@tabeccaletford408]

This is a great in depth review of my favourite horror novel of all time. There are so many great scenes in the book but the one that stayed with me was Susan as a vampire outside Mark's window, so sad and creepy at the same time

[@baciliogomez375]

Just read it. The amount of detail about the town itself is just amazing!!!!

[@redseagaming7832]

Here's the one problem with the Vampire lore you just show a cross to a vampire but what if you're an atheist and you show the cross to the vampire does the vampire ignore the cross and attack you because it knows that you're not Christian

[@mikesbookreviews]

Good question. I think the vamps believe and are therefore unable to fight through it. But this is a really good question.

[@internetkurator9256]

The symbol of faith should work in any case, it has to be the Lord God: Jewish, Christian or Muslim symbols will do, as well as relics and talmi like Salomon's key or the 99 names if Allah.

[@andyd2033]

Read the book, listened to the book, watched the film, literally bought a T-shirt last month.....just love Salem’s Lot.

[@mitchellsmith3021]

I’ve finally read Salem’s Lot! Great review Mike. I’m now one step closer to the Dark Tower

[@andreamiller3578]

Well, I can't believe I'm saying this but you have convinced me to add Salem's Lot to my TBR list. I'm not a big horror fan although I did like the first Carrie movie and I have enjoyed some of his short stories and novellas. I had no idea this was about vampires. I'm not a big vampire fan either but for some reason that intrigues me this time. heh.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, it wasn't sold as a vampire story. Quite the ballsy move for the marketing at the time.

[@emosongsandreadalongs]

What a great book. Loved it and love your videos Mike. One other very small connection is that Chamberlain (Carrie's hometown) is mentioned in 'Salem's Lot

[@dwaynebrue6028]

Salem's Lot was my all time favorite Stephen King Novel!! I read when it first came out and I was scared to look out my window at night!

[@baciliogomez375]

U are definitely the one who made me get obsessed with King books!!!!!!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

These are things I love to hear.

[@fullcomicalchemist2195]

My first and favourite King book to this day

[@jerrydeltaco]

I was so doubtful about this book i thought it would be really mid, but it blew me away and I love it so much, almost tied with IT and The Green Mile for me

[@ChadQuick270W]

This is my second favorite, right behind The Stand. I enjoy his novels with a lot of characters as it really makes you feel like part of the story. It’s why Needful Things is also one of my favorites 👍

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Great review! Working on my own right now. It seems like we are in about the same place in our Stephen King review schedule. Imma do one every weekend

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh, I'm doing mostly one per month until October. I want to save some of his scarier titles for "horror month." The Shining should be happening soon and then The Stand in April.

[@Master_Blackthorne]

The problem with the book is King's portraying Barlow as an Austrian foreigner you subsequently end up with a Bela Lugosi version of a vampire. When they made the film for TV with David Soul, they realized that if Barlow was depicted as something everyone was familiar with, (i.e. Count Chocula, Sesame Street) the film would be spoiled. That's why they made Barlow like Nosferatu which was a lot scarier.

[@jaredgenova2228]

I liked your enthusiasm reviewing 'Salem's Lot! It's one of the few SK books I've read (It and The Stand being the other two). It caught my attention because it was SK's take on vampires. Being a big Anne Rice nut, I was curious and read it a couple months ago. I saw a lot of parallels between Jerusalem's Lot and Derry from It- as well as obvious comparisons between Ben and Bill both being authors. For the first half of the book, I was really entertained by SK's vivid brushstrokes of the town, and was excited to see how the "scary" vampire(s) would come into play. I think, ultimately, being so accustomed to Anne Rice's rich descriptions and characterizations of her vampires, I was a bit let down by how Barlow was written. Like the actual shark itself in Jaws, I think a lot of the horror aspect came from this unknown, ancient and vicious creature lurking the shadows. Considering his age and unknown backstory, I would have loved to learn more about him. I understand, however, that stylistically that was not the intended development of SK's antagonist. I'm really glad I read it, though. It hearkened me back to Dracula, which was definitely a plus in reading this. PS- I love your WoT reviews (I've read it twice). I'm currently reading the Malazan series by Steven Erikson kind of for the same reasons you picked up WoT- a friend won't shut up about it lol.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I can see that reading this AFTER Anne Rice. King was still using the "less is more" with his villains in these early books. He liked to keep them mysterious and foreboding, keeping mostly to the background.

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

I still have the visual of Ralphie Glick at the window from the miniseries! Great stuff!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Scared the piss out of me

[@Reelglad]

You got that backwards about the Glock boys, Ralphie went missing,, his body was never found, they never find out what happened to him. A week later his older brother is the one who dies

[@anthonyjordanmoviesandmore2470]

I just finished the book I think the scariest scene was when Susan was floating out Mark's bedroom

[@mikesbookreviews]

Lots of chills in this book. Especially by windows.

[@richardr3511]

I thought it was Danny Glick that was floating outside Marks window.

[@Galvatronover]

@@richardr3511 it was separate scene read the book

[@richardlahan7068]

I haven't read it since 1988. Guess I need to.

[@eldorta]

The whole book is filled with creepy stuff. When Marjorie Glick tells her husband that Danny comes during the night and she breastfeeds him. I found that something between tenderness and evil.

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

I grew up on King's work . . . please keep these coming!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Finished recording the Dead Zone today

[@JaimeEnFuego]

In my TOP 5 for many, many years and just barely pushed out recently. I'm a sucker (Ha!) for vampire stories, though and despite being a bit long in the tooth at times (yeah, just couldn't help myself) this is prime King for sure. I know you weren't mentioning shorts, but with Jerusalem's Lot & One For The Road from NIGHT SHIFT being respective prologue/epilogue stuff I'd be curious to hear some thoughts there. Also, despite hating hard on it initially I've grown to actually enjoy that silly RETURN TO SALEM'S LOT flick, if only for Larry Cohen & Michael Moriarty pairing together again. You've taken over my listening while editing man and as I've mentioned before, but cannot enough, exceptional insight here.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Brother, that means a ton coming from you since I’ve enjoyed your Hail to the King content for years now and it is what influenced me to create the Into the Multiverse segments. Can’t wait to see the tier list #2!

[@Unpaidfilmcritc]

I just finished the book last night I have to say that this is one of the scariest books I’ve ever read. Keep up the great work.

[@EliT3xEleM3nT]

I have to disagree, There was nothing remotely scary about the book... Its a shame I heard such good things about Salems lot but I was disappointed

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

I'm watching these as I read/reread through King's work. I agree about Mark and Ben. I felt it was friendship/mentorship then more like a father/son relationship. I was so sad with who got killed but this book is one of my new King favs!!

[@gustavohoffmann8431]

Salem's lot is my all time favorite novel. I first read it when I was 13 or 14 years old and now at 48 still enjoy it. I love the way SK leaves misteries unsolved all over the novel, like when he mentions that the 54 fire was intentionally set but doesn't say why or that Hubie made Birdie do something so dreadfull that she was begging him to kill her, which he did before burning some letters smiling and then hangs himself.

[@lennartmdc6795]

man, love bites is a great song indeed. I have even more trust in your book reviews now

[@No1emilybrowningfan]

Salem’s is my second favourite novel of all time. Listening to it at the moment on Audio

[@ChadQuick270W]

Same here. It’s right behind The Stand for me in Stephen King novels.

[@No1emilybrowningfan]

@@ChadQuick270W for me it is my all time favourite King novel, the Lord of the rings being the only never to ever surpass it. I love the Stand too. :-)

[@ChadQuick270W]

@@No1emilybrowningfan The Lord of The Rings is just magic. I’ve read it several times and have a nice leather bound edition that I got for Christmas many years ago.

[@robpaul7544]

Loving this multiverse overview 🤘 Salem's Lot will be in a bookhaul soon, high time I actually read it. 😅

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's a good one to ... *puts on glasses* ...sink your teeth into.

[@robpaul7544]

@@mikesbookreviews Oof.. your puns leave me.. drained 🤣

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@robpaul7544 Have young kids and the dad jokes just upload immediately.

[@Themaninblack19]

My Favorite chapter is definitely THE LOT (2) all the secrets the town knows , so good

[@MIMNED]

Truly amazing book, the best I've ever read.

[@QuirkyQuillify]

Yes! More Stephen King reviews ~~~~

[@mikesbookreviews]

I love that you love them.

[@SpankeyLuvinIt]

Mike, I don’t know how you’ll feel about this but when I visualize Matt in the book I basically see you and idk why lol

[@beaglesgamesguitars2271]

I'll be one of your S.K followers. Although, I read this one years ago and have since forgotten about it. S.K is my favorite author. Read the first 4 books that we published, and loved The Shining. Really sad that that book wasn't portrayed correctly with the corresponding film. Loved reading Insomnia, even though on the surface, it's just living the life of an older man. Dark tower series was great too, especially book 4. Loved that storyline within a storyline, and how it all fits and sort of mirrors each other. Wasn't a big fan of The Stand, but King is known for his "endings". Have been wanting to read another S.K book, but don't know which one to pick up again. My shelf looks like yours: an entire shelf of his books.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I recommend 11/22/63 to anyone where length of the novel does not matter.

[@beaglesgamesguitars2271]

@@mikesbookreviews That was one of the first books I read by him. There's a particular scene where the main character goes back in time to "test" to see if what he does really alters the present, and man.....did it get to me when i read the end of that chapter. Had to put the book down and go "damn....that's sad". I've always loved how S.K writes about the demons inside us, moreso than the monsters that go bump in the night. Gerald's Game was one of my favorite books by him, depsite it being in his 90's slog.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@beaglesgamesguitars2271 Yes! I constantly say that while his villains are great, the whole message of his stories are that humans are the real monsters. No one can write kids like he does, too.

[@beaglesgamesguitars2271]

Mike's Book Reviews I totally agree about the writing kids part. I loved It, and Jake is written so good in the Dark Tower. I swear I wasn’t as smart as these kids though, lol.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@beaglesgamesguitars2271 Ha ha I mentioned that in my IT review when Ben notices the balloons floating against the wind instead of focusing on the big scary clown.

[@daveedmunds1109]

My second favourite King novel, after of course the Stand. The set up for this one and execution is staggering. Great villain in Barlow too!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Barlow is a badass. And I agree that the execution is great. I was annoyed by learning about off of the townsfolk that didn't seem to be part of the main narrative the first time I read it and then I saw why he did that and thought it was brilliant.

[@daveedmunds1109]

@@mikesbookreviews definitely. You start to think too much information and then they all get drawn into the narrative getting turned into vampires. So much more effective than your standard vampire story.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@daveedmunds1109 Local society going to hell here also seems to be the precursor for what he would do with The Stand.

[@daveedmunds1109]

@@mikesbookreviews yes and seen again in Needful Things and Under the Dome!

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@daveedmunds1109 I remember the first time I read Needful Things at 15 I got out a dry erase board and wrote down all of the characters so I would remember who was who ha ha

[@Merrick]

Cool vid, enjoying this King series Very interesting about the material for Salem's Lot 2 being reworked into the Dark Tower series, and it totally makes sense. That section or sections felt very strange at the time, long and tangential to the story, yet more developed in it's own right than a lot of the final rush that was the back end of that series. The themes and feel of the passages of (forget what he called it, not turnpiking or hobo-ing) the travelling just didn't line up with rest of the book and now it makes sense that it was a different project shoe-horned into this. I liked the back story, a lot actually, it just never seemed to fit. Cool. And I agree, Pet Semetary scared me more than the Shining, or any other book i can think of. Although for a long long time I couldn't look out a window at night without creeping myself out waiting for a face to appear. Thanks Mike!

[@mikesbookreviews]

One day, when I get to the Dark Tower stuff, you will hear the most epic rant about how King flushed his magnum opus down the toilet and just shit it out because he was afraid of dying due to his accident in 1999. I didn't read him for almost 6 years after that because I was so mad.

[@Merrick]

@@mikesbookreviews I don't think I've read anything from him after book 7, to this day. Was it Roland or Jake or Eddie who told him to just finish and not worry about winning the pulitzer?

[@mikesbookreviews]

God. The moment he showed up in his own series I died a little inside.

[@Pwnagotchi-0]

10:10 I agree a lot of people had friends older and younger back in the days now everybody is superficial

[@danl2502]

I just finished this book last night and I really really loved it. I’ve always said I’m not really a king fan, but after it, salems lot, and the first dark tower, I think I might be a closet king fan

[@inkstainedsword9890]

The Talisman is fantastic. No one does adolescent boy quirks with supernatural coming of age the way Stephen King does, he works seamlessly with Straub. The Black House (sequel) is also well worth the read.

[@mikesbookreviews]

You summed it perfectly. Of that, he is the master.I look forward to Talisman late this year or early next.

[@bertsbooks2505]

Nice review - yeah, I like the way King avoided sexifying the vampires... they're sordid in this, and the story's better for it

[@VogonPoet67]

I wish King would write an entire book on Kurt Barlow - going back to his origin and working forward to his demise in Salem's Lot.

[@VogonPoet67]

@@sidnew2739 What do you mean there was no demise of Barlow? He was killed by Ben and Mark in Salem's Lot. And regardless of whether he was ever human, unless he is an eternal being, he had some kind of origin.

[@VogonPoet67]

@@sidnew2739 No worries. My main point was that I'd love to see King write more about Barlow and his past before Salem's Lot.

[@Dude_on_a_Map]

I really want the Father Callahan tv series Glen Mazarra was thinking of doing. After reading Salem’s Lot and Dark Tower he’s one of my favorite characters. Callahan and Ted Brauttigan are twinners and I believe there’s a lot to explore there.

[@skab6911]

I feel like the age difference thing wasnt even them being friends they were just trying to survive and only had each other at the end

[@jeffwinn673]

I’m 50 years old and I watched the 1979 TV movie as young kid - probably too young - and the scenes with the Glick boys floating scared the hell out of me. My bedroom was on the 2nd floor and while our windows did not open out, when the wind blew and the trees outside scratched the window, I could not help but think of ‘Salem’s Lot. I have read the book several times as an adult - I usually find myself drawn to it in the fall - and it does a couple of things really well that are missing from too many horror books and movies. My biggest complaint with many horror stories is that the characters just seem to go about their lives like everything is normal. As this review touches on, there are plenty of people in town who just start packing up and leaving. They may not “know” there is a vampire in town, but they know things are happening that are scary and unexplained so they decide to just get the F out of there. If I suddenly discovered that there was a vampire or multiple vampires in my town, I wouldn’t send my son to school like normal, I wouldn’t go to work like nothing was happening. I like the way that to “good guys” start to come up with a plan to fight the evil and part of that is trying not to leave anyone alone and act with purpose before the son goes down. A couple of the scariest scenes that I don’t think gets enough credit is when Burke feels the fear of having a vampire in the house when Mike Ryerson is killed in his house and when he returns. I am writing this comment without having read the book for a couple of years so I hope I am not incorrect but I think Burke has a heart attack essentially from the fear and dread that radiates out from these vampires that are unquestionably evil. I think the chapters describing how the town is changing with each passing night are underrated as well. There is a line about the town dying or being dead though they did not yet realize it - powerful stuff. This is one of King’s best and one of the scariest of all vampire stories. If you have not seen it, check out the 1979 movie. Though its Barlow is different, it does a great job of capturing what makes the book great including that prevailing dread, the window fog scenes and the ending of Barlow is very intense as they see the light of day fading outside the window. I highly recommend it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I can definitely see that.

[@crbranca06]

SL was my third favorite horror novel of all time. I really loved it when i was 19 or so. But reread it earlier this year (I'm 47) and found some faults that took me off it. Specially Susan going by herself to the Marsten House. Absurd. But still cool, fast paced good book and still one of my SK favorite.

[@jp1419]

What are your first two favorite horror books?

[@Katzenkaiser4]

this is a real good one. and I agree that this book is really vicious. I remember the part where a baby gets sucked dry by a vampire and the mother finds it in the corner thrown there like garbage afterwards

[@johngalt6838]

The 1979 TV series is also one of the best adaptations......super creepy.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

I need to reread Salam's Lot, but I always remember Father Callahan drinking Barlow's blood. To be honest, the 2004 adaptation is probably why I remember it.

[@kevins4254]

I watched the TV version when I was 16 and it scared the hell out of me. I’m 55 now and I still think of Danny floating outside the window when I hear someone tapping on glass! Does that count as being scarred for life?? I’ve got to read the book ASAP!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha, yes! My office is on the 2nd floor of the house and a bug flew into the window late one night and all I could think of was this scene. It definitely left an impression; both the book and the movie.

[@noneed4me2n7]

Just watched Chapelwaite, not to shabby. Vampire lore doesn’t line up to well with the other books and stories but that’s fine. Biggest issue for me was lack of invitation rule not being a thing. Heard it’s getting a second season but I’m not sure where they’d go with it as it pretty much seemed like a one and done; could’ve been trimmed down to about 6 episodes instead of ten I feel. Really wish someone with vision and competency would adapt the Dark Tower in a long series. Way too much material for a film. I didn’t even bother with the one they made a while back now. Not because of the casting but because I knew it wouldn’t work. The material is so dense especially if you start adding in the non tower books that tie into it. Want to see Lud and Blaine the Pain. Then down the road start adapting Salems lot again and tie in Father Callahan to really make it a multi series epic. Oh well, I can always dream.

[@johnsmith8906]

Salem's Lot does have an excellent kind of sequel, the short story One For The Road.

[@Def002]

This is in my top 5. Cujo and Christine were my 1st King Novels. Love Tommyknockers most people hate it

[@kevinwheeler7427]

This is one of those books along side Dracula that I try to read at least once every couple of years.

[@mikepicioli1100]

Ok, I totally missed it in your Carrie vid that you are going to do all Stephen King books in order of publication, so I will officially stop asking for Dark Tower.. your welcome. That said, I had to mute this to avoid spoilers for dark tower. Really excited for The Stand, my personal favorite of SK. And you legit got me to lol at your Anne Rice comment 🤣

[@mikesbookreviews]

I understand. That's why I wanted to put the connections after the spoilers. I realized while doing Carrie that some of those were spoilers to things not everyone has read yet, possibly. Anne Rice used to be so great. No clue what happened.

[@nemoonbekend2483]

@@mikesbookreviews Got a few really good books out of her ,though, before success ruined it (if that's what it was). I'll always give her full credit on the good ones.

[@Merrick]

Good structure to these Mike, layering talking about the book, then spoilers about the book, then expanded spoilers to other works. I loved Anne Rice back in the 90s. DId you read her other stuff besides the Vampire Chronicles? I remember feeling so sad for the guy in Taltos. Not really recommending it, just wondering. Her first 4 in the vamp chron were by far my favourite, good enough i read book after crappy book, memnoch and armand and pandora, all not good, afterwards. Talisman is good, if long, but that kind of works in epic journey stories. And you will most certainly recognize some themes that come up again later. It would actually have made much more sense to have ( I want to say Jack) the boy from Talisman instead of Father Callahan come back in Wolves of the Callah. You'll see. Just looked at King's bibliography to get an idea of what's coming next, I had no idea he wrote the Stand so early in his career, seems like a much more mature effort. You probably covered this already but are you going to do the collections as well?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I made it up to Menmoch and it just became unreadable. Armand was a total chore of a read and it was a book I had been begging for since I first read Interview. I've never had the will to try any of her other series after that. I plan to do just the main novels, but if it's one that's a huge hit (like Different Seasons) I'll probably break that rule.

[@Merrick]

@@mikesbookreviews Yeah, please do Four Seasons. Three out of four made into award winning films. As far as I know the Poe-ish winter story has not been adapted.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Exactly what I was thinking of. I can't NOT talk about The Body, Apt Pupil, or Shawshank.

[@chrislawson1988]

Always seen dark house at my library on cassette I dont think I had any cassette players but the cover caught my eye every time I seen it plus Stephen king name read back sounded cool asked if they had the book of it nope wish I got to read that or listen to it but seen it for a dollar at my library downtown talisman and black house lol

[@WilAdams]

This is a good review of the book. I would only add that as far as prose this is King at his best. The town itself is an actual character in this book. It takes real talent to do that. Still, as good as this book is Robert McCammon took this same idea--set it on the West Coast--and made a MUCH better Vampire book (They Thirst). There happens to be two versions of this book A) The British version and B) the American version. The only difference is that that British version has more pages. It is a worthwhile addition and I urge you to try and seek it out, but if not, read the shorter American version. McCammon also tackles the 'haunted vehicle' story in 'Night Boat', and the Werewolf in 'Wolf's Hour'. One last point, McCammon also takes on the 'Stand' in his book 'Swan's Song' actually shows you how much braver Robert is than King is. He writes scenes that King did not write in The Stand.

[@draco4540]

i think i was either a freshman or sophmore in high school when the movie/show came out. i was 14 or 15 at the time. (1978/1979). i just loved the show. it was scary. i had the hots for lance kerwin who played mark petrie. didn't realize until recently that he was 4 years older than me. i always thought that we were the same age or a bout a year apart. damn, he was hot back than.

[@turtleanton6539]

This is a real good book😁👍

[@mikesbookreviews]

I was still impressed with it on re-read.

[@thestarlitmagician]

I literally just channeled this in a reading and never even heard of this but I am laughing because now it makes complete sense 😂

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy!

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

King was influenced by Don Robertson, a novelist who wrote novels like Paradise Falls about small towns. The novel is designed to be a small town novel as much as a horror novel.

[@suddalavijay6930]

You were the only reason I got into Stephen King 👌👍👍

[@mikesbookreviews]

Then I have done the Lord's work.

[@exio6241]

I got burned out epic fantasy, and wanna read some other genre like horror so I picked Up stephen king because of you, Im starting with the dark tower XD and this book

[@outdoordinsmore]

Hardest part about reading this book for me was grieving Susan. It was ruthless.

[@Merrick]

Sweeeeeeet. Been waiting for this one

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's about the longest I've went on the channel not talking about King since I started.

[@daveshepperd1749]

In the novel, Matt is NOT Ben's former teacher. That was the 1979 Mini-Series.

[@09RetsamEdalb]

This was my thirteenth King book and I just finished it a couple days ago. This was definitely the most unsettling one I've read from him. Some scenes: Mike in the graveyard: *stop staring at me* Reggie puts an unloaded shotgun in the mouth of the guy who was banging his wife (then he goes and beats her). Danny Glick gets the McDougall baby and the mom finds him in the morning. Quintessential horror read, I'd say. For the horror feeling specifically, not tension.

[@CarmieSchulz]

I really liked this book and think King is saying a lot between the lines. The illustrated version has some alternate and deleted material that is either innocuous or good but he hints at his next book, The Shining, heavily in this.

[@stevegordon5689]

Just a few plot holes someone could help me with! 1. How was Danny Glick bleed even before Barlow arrived? 2. How did Barlow enter the Petrie house uninvited? 3. How did jimmy Cody cut mrs Glick when she was undead but Corey Bryant undead was unmarked when reggie sawyer shot him? 4. If the undeads thirst was never satisfied and Barlow was telling his victims they were never going to leave their town.how was his vampire colony going to sustain its self with it out discovery?

[@mayzo51184]

I loved this book! I hadn't read it until I was an adult (don't know waht was wrong with me at the time) and when I did finally read it after seeing the original series that had been made in the late 70's and then the shitty one that was made in the mid 2000's, I just had to read it. Plus, one of my uncles who is a huge horror fan told me that I should read it because it's even better than the movie. That scene where the kids are lost in the woods was super intense and chilling. So was the window scene and also the scene where Margory Glick had passed and their all waiting to see if she turns and the body starts to move. . I was surprised at the ending too with regards to Susan and I could see where there would have been room for a sequel because not all of the vampires they were able to get where they escaped. I loved mark and I didn't see a problem with Ben and his friendship either. Great review!

[@Thecrows_eye]

I loved Salem’s Lot. My first King book and boy did it deliver. What would you recommend next? The Stand?

[@mikesbookreviews]

If length doesn’t bother you, IT or The Stand for sure.

[@turtleanton6539]

Keep Doing King videos

[@mikesbookreviews]

Can't stop, won't stop.

[@gaetanbattaglia4036]

I come from the future! There is definitely a 'Salem's Lot remake. Warner has shelved it indefinitely. :(

[@micahallen2735]

He bangs his fists against the post and still insists he sees the ghost 👻 Salem’s lot and IT. Any connection?